The Year of Red River Moms

Red River Moms was launched on Mother's Day, a year ago today. And what a year it has been.

I just happened to stumble upon a call for writers on the Shreveport Times site late last April. I hadn't been looking for a gig, but for some reason, that little announcement called out to me. I have been writing for businesses and for myself for years. So I gathered a small selection of my best mom-type writing and sent it along to the Times.

Major Mom was born.

And so now, a year later, as I prepare to pack up my life here on the Red River and move to the banks of the Chesapeake Bay, Major Mom has come to an end.

It is appropriate, I think.

I have had so much fun writing for Red River Moms. The amount of positive feedback I have received from readers, both friends and strangers alike, has been absolutely overwhelming. I was writing away thinking nobody was paying much attention and was quite surprised, and pleased, to be proved wrong.

I have so many people to thank. First and foremost is the original director of Red River Moms (and writer of Toddler Talk) who put her trust in me to write for her baby in the first place.

I also have to thank my best friend Patrick. I was by his hospital bed when I got the call that I would be writing this blog. He is the one who suggested the name Major Mom, and I can't thank him enough.

I'd also like to thank the Director of the Suzuki School, Laura Crawford who has been such a strong supporter of my writing form the beginning. The teachers and administrators at Southfield School have also given my blog way more attention that I deserve.

In fact, my supporters have been many and I don't think I could name them all. All of my friends have been amazing and have inflated my ego more than I ever deserved. I have a special shout out for my friends Lynn and Julie who have been my biggest commenters and fans.

The Times staff who have kept Red River Moms going so strongly this year should be commended. They've done a great job and have created a special online community.

I can't forget to thank my husband and kids for allowing me to write about them. My poor kids would probably be quite embarrassed if they ever stumbled upon these pages and read everything I've said about them. But I hope that they could see the love shining through my words too. I am beyond lucky to have my amazing little family. I love them so much.

I'd also like to thank my mom. Besides bringing me into this world and supporting me all these years, for the first time she was able to follow along in my writing. My mom has always been my biggest fan, no matter what I was doing. And thanks to her reading Major Mom now she knows that I don't like quilts.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. And happy Mother's Day to all of us.

I have been so busy preparing to leave that I haven't stopped to give much thought to how much I will miss the people who have become my family here. These last couple of days have been emotionally difficult. We're starting to say our goodbyes and my heart hurts so much.

And now I'm saying goodbye to Major Mom and I am more than a little sad.

But my adventures aren't over. If you'd like to keep up with me and my family you can find me at my personal blog The Continuing Adventures of Major Mom. (Click the title for the link.)

I couldn't bear to say goodbye, so I won't. I'll just say...see you around the Internet and thank you, Shreveport/Bossier! And happy first birthday, Red River Moms.